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A few weeks ago, almost everything in the hobby seemed as normal as possible. Topps focused on delivering outstanding baseball cards, as it has done for 70 years, while Panini was providing quality products for NBA and NFL fans. But with Fanatics about to take overs, there are a lot of fears and doubts coming from the hobby itself.
We tackle several reasons why Fanatics’ impending takeover of the three biggest sports cards markets will be both terrific and horrible for the hobby.
Terrific: The Sports Card Industry Will Be Infused With New Life
A stale card industry is one that won’t do the hobby any good in the long run. While Topps and Panini have churned out an amazing array of products, there will come a time when their process is going to reach the point of repetitiveness.
Fanatics went from not having a card company to being the biggest card company in the world in one week. https://t.co/5CEiH5kJhF
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 25, 2021
On the other hand, a clean slate and a fresh approach with Fanatics in the driver’s seat could be what the hobby needs. A new set of eyes can lead to amazing and innovative products that will keep demand for sports cards going for years.
Although it’s still too early to speculate on what Fanatics can do with these exclusive licenses, it’s safe to assume that they have the ability to do things both Topps and Panini haven’t done before. When they do, the hobby will find a new lease on life to drive to keep it moving forward.
Horrible: Potential Overpricing Of Card Products
It’s no secret that Fanatics will spend tons of money to get the three biggest sports leagues under their umbrella. That’s why it’s only logical to think that at some point, they’re going to want a return on their huge investment in these exclusive licenses.
This is where the fear of most hobbyists starts. With the absence of any competition, Fanatics is setting itself up to be the sole superpower in the sports card industry. With massive money invested in this venture, they can demand a high price for their products to compensate.
Without competition, collectors will be potentially stuck with Fanatics’ products in the future. It also has the chance to prevent new people from entering, something that would crash the hobby in the process. For the good of the hobby and all those who love it, it would be best for Fanatics not to milk the card industry dry.
Terrific: Better Sports Cards Down The Line
Over the years, collectors have gathered a list of complaints involving sports card companies and the products they’re manufacturing. Some aren’t happy about subpar quality control that leads to badly centered offerings, those with glaring errors, or incomplete cards in a box, among others.
Bought a hobby box of Panini Certified. Per usual Panini's quality control sucks. Supposed to have 2 autos and 2 relics. Instead I got stuck with4 autos and 2 relics. Haha. #thehobby @CardPurchaser pic.twitter.com/jSjxKAJDqj
— JDFcards (@FcardsJd) August 25, 2021
With Fanatics poised to take over the major sports leagues and their trading cards, they now have a chance to elevate the industry by coming up with better products. More than ever, collectors can hope for cards with actual signatures written on them, quality photos of their favorite athletes, or not worrying about dinged corners, to name a few.
Of course, this depends on how the folks over at Fanatics can zero in on these customer complaints and use them to deliver a better product than what Topps and Panini are currently giving. If they manage to achieve this feat, the whole takeover of the sports card industry will be worth it.
Horrible: Panini And Topps Flood The Market
There are around five years left for Topps and Panini when it comes to their licensing deals with the MLB, NBA, and NFL. A lot of people are speculating that these companies will go on overdrive by releasing a lot of products to the market in an effort to generate as much revenue as they can. If this happens, most of these cards will really be worthless.
Keep in mind that when supply overcomes demand, a product’s value takes a hit. It could be the Junk Wax Era all over again. Essentially, this could happen right before Fanatics takes over these licenses, much to the detriment of collectors and the hobby itself.
With a lot going on in the sports card industry, it’s easy to forget that it won’t be until 2026 when Fanatics formally takes over these exclusive licensing rights. Until that time, there are so many things that can still happen. Collectors should be both excited and wary about what the following years can bring to the hobby.
